Byline: MIKE GOODWIN - Staff Writer
SCHENECTADY - The city has reached agreement with its firefighters on a new five-year contract that will boost salaries annually by 4 percent over much of its term, but requires firefighters to pick up a greater portion of the health insurance costs.
The firefighters voted in favor of the pact Monday night, and the City Council is expected to approve it next week. Once approved by the city, the firefighters will have their first contract since 2004.
'We're almost like two years in arrears, so it's more like three years going forward,' said Capt. Alan Tygert, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 28.
The contract covers the years 2005-09. The firefighters will receive 4 percent raises each year, with the exception of 2005, when raises only apply for the final four months of the year. In return, city officials said the firefighters agreed to pay for a larger portion of their health insurance.
Tygert said the firefighters were willing to pay higher insurance premiums in return for the pay increases.
New firefighters will have to pay for 20 percent of their health insurance during their first five years on the job. The number will decline to 15 percent from years six through eight. In their ninth year with the city, the firefighters will pay 10 percent of the cost; the number will drop to 5 percent for the remainder of their careers and retirement.
Finance Commissioner John Paolino said all firefighters have agreed to pay at least 5 percent of their insurance, and the city will not be required to pick up addi tional costs if the insurance carriers change their policies. Firefighters will also pay an additional $5 co-pays for doctor visits.
For the first time, the city has agreed to give firefighters credit toward retirement for prior service in other government jobs. Firefighters can currently retire after 20 years with the department, but time spent in other municipal jobs could be added to the number, allowing firefighters to retire before they put in two decades as firefighters.
Paolino said that will let the city replace long-term firefighters receiving top pay and benefits with younger, lower-paid firefighters. 'They estimate they have 32 people who will go,' Mayor Brian U. Stratton said of the early retirement benefit.
Once the health care and retirement costs are calculated with the salary increases, Paolino estimated, the contract will equate to a 2.5 percent annual pay increase.
Completion of the contract leaves the city with only one expired contract. The Police Benevolent Association's contract with the city expired in December 2005. Stratton said he hoped the framework of the firefighters' deal will 'set a strong precedent' as the city begins negotiations with the police.
